Motor and attachment structure

ABSTRACT

A motor with a plurality of electrode terminals, wherein at least a portion of a case for the motor forms at least one of the plurality of electrode terminals.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/734,703, filed Dec. 13, 2000, and entitled “Motor and Attachment Structure”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a motor and an attachment structure for attaching the motor, in particular, to a structure of electrode terminals of the motor and an electric connection structure between the electrode terminals of the motor and a battery.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] In general, a motor having a pair of electrode terminals, i.e., positive and negative terminals, at the rear portion thereof is known. In order to incorporate such a motor, for example, in a toy or the like, it is required to solder one end of each corresponding conductive wire (lead wire) to the corresponding electrode terminal of the motor, respectively and to connect the other end of each corresponding conductive wire to each electrode of the battery.

[0006] However, the motor with such a structure of electrode terminals has a problem of being difficult to miniaturize it. That is, in order to miniaturize the motor, when making each component part thereof small, each of two electrode terminals becomes small also. Accordingly, it is not possible to secure the rigidity of the electrode terminals and it becomes hard to solder one end of each corresponding conductive wire to the corresponding electrode terminal because the distance between the electrode terminals is also small.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a motor having a structure of electrode terminals which is suitable for miniaturizing itself.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved electric connection structure between the electrode terminals of the motor and a battery.

[0009] In accordance of one aspect of the invention, in the motor with a plurality of electrode terminals, at least a portion of a case for the motor forms at least one of the plurality of electrode terminals.

[0010] According to the motor, because at least a portion of a motor case which has a relatively large surface area among the component parts forms at least one of the electrode terminals (may form all electrode terminals), it is easy to solder one end of each corresponding conductive wire to the corresponding electrode terminal and it is possible to enhance the rigidity of the electrode terminals.

[0011] Even if the rest of the electrode terminals is disposed on the end surface of the motor, because at least one of the electrode terminals is provided on the case, the rest of the electrode terminals can be made thick in comparison with the case of providing all terminals on the end surface of the motor. As a result, it is possible to make the electric connection for the rest of the electrode terminals good and also to enhance the rigidity thereof.

[0012] It is of course that provision of a plurality of electrode terminals on the peripheral surface of the case requires making a plurality of regions which are insulated to each other, on the case.

[0013] The motor may comprise two electrode terminals and a portion of the case for the motor may form at least one of the two electrode terminals.

[0014] According to such a motor, it is possible to provide almost the same function and advantageous effects as the above-described motor.

[0015] The motor may comprise two electrode terminals and at least a portion of the case for the motor may form two electrically separated regions, one of which forms one of the two electrode terminals and the other of which forms the other of the two electrode terminals.

[0016] According to the motor having such a structure, because at least a portion of a motor case which has a relatively large surface area among the component parts forms at least one of the electrode terminals, it is easy to electrically connect one end of each corresponding conductive wire to the corresponding electrode terminal and it is possible to enhance the rigidity of the electrode terminals.

[0017] The motor may comprise positive and negative electrode terminals and at least a portion of the case for the motor may form the negative electrode terminal. The motor may comprise positive and negative electrode terminals and at least a portion of the case for the motor may form the positive electrode terminal. In the cases, it is of course that the negative electrode terminal or the positive electrode terminal provision formed on the case should be insulated from the other electrode.

[0018] The other electrode terminal may be disposed on an end surface of the motor.

[0019] According to the motor having such a structure, because only one electrode terminal is provided on the end surface of the motor, the electrode terminal on the end surface can be made thick in comparison with the case of providing two terminals on the end surface of the motor. As a result, it is possible to make the electric connection for the electrode terminal on the end surface good and also to enhance the rigidity thereof.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, in the attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery, each of the electrode terminals of the motor as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 6 is connected to a corresponding electrode of the battery through only a conductive member. One of the electrode terminals of the motor as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 6 may be connected to a corresponding electrode of the battery through only a conductive member and the other of the electrode terminals of the motor may be connected to a corresponding electrode of the battery directly. For example, as the battery, a button-type one may be used.

[0021] According to such an attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery, because each electrode terminal of the motor is connected to a corresponding electrode of the battery, through only a conductive member or directly, it is possible to reduce number of component parts for connection.

[0022] In the attachment structure, preferably, at least one of the conductive members can be brought into contact with or away from the battery or the motor. For example, as the battery, a button-type one may be used.

[0023] According to such an attachment structure, because the conductive members can be brought into contact with or away from the battery or the motor, it is possible to control on or off of the motor by being brought into contact with or away from the battery or the motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention, and wherein;

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motor according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0026]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the motor shown in FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the large case assembly shown in FIG. 2;

[0028]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the completed rotor shown in FIG. 2;

[0029]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the small case assembly shown in FIG. 2;

[0030]FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the motor shown in FIG. 1;

[0031]FIG. 7 is a rear view of the rotor shown in FIG. 1;

[0032]FIG. 8 is an explanation view of an attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0033]FIG. 9 is an explanation view of an attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0034]FIG. 10 is an explanation view of an attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the third embodiment of the invention;

[0035]FIG. 11 is an explanation view of an attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0036]FIG. 12 is an explanation view of an attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; and

[0037]FIG. 13 is an explanation view of an attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the six embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0038]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motor according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the motor, and FIG. 7 is a rear view of the rotor shown in FIG. 1.

[0039] The motor 1 is a DC motor and comprises a large case assembly 2, a completed rotor 3, and a small case assembly 4, as shown in FIG. 2. Next, the large case assembly 2, a completed rotor 3, and a small case assembly 4 will be explained in order, as follows.

[0040] The large case assembly 2 comprises a cylindrical large case body 20 with an opening 20 a which is formed at the rear side thereof, as shown in FIG. 3. The large case body 20 is made of a conductive material.

[0041] In the large case body 20, a cylindrical magnetic stator 21 is provided. The stator 21 is generally made of a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, to produce a constant magnetic field in the motor 1. In the embodiment, a permanent magnet is used as the stator 21.

[0042] The completed rotor 3 comprises a core 31 attached to a rotary shaft 30, a driving coil 32 wound around the core 31, a sleeve 33 and a thrust ring 34 which are disposed in an end side on the rotary shaft 30 for sandwiching the core 31, and a commutator 35 and oil cutter 36 which are disposed in the other end side on the rotary shaft 30, as shown in FIG. 4. The commutator 35 comprises a central member 35 a and commutator pieces 35 b, 35 b and 35 b which are attached to the central member 35 a.

[0043] The small case assembly 4 comprises a small case body 40 which is fitted into the opening 20 a of the large case body 20 to close the large case body 20, as shown in FIG. 5. The small case body 40 is made of an insulating material.

[0044] The small case assembly 4 further comprises a first conductive piece 41, a second conductive piece 42, a third conductive piece 43, a first contact spring 44, and a second contact spring 45, which are attached to the small case body 40, as shown in FIG. 5. An end of the first conductive piece 41 is connected to the positive electrode of the battery B to form a positive lead terminal. The other end of the first conductive piece 41 has a structure to be able to electrically connect to the commutator 35 through the first contact spring 44. The top end of the first conductive piece 41 is bent after the first conductive piece 41 was assembled to the small case body 40, as shown in FIG. 6. The second conductive piece 42 is connected to the large case body 20 through the third conductive piece 43. The large case body 20 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery B. That is, the motor 1 has a structure of an earthed body. The second conductive piece 42 has a structure to be able to electrically connect to the commutator 35 through the second contact spring 44.

[0045] Recess portions 5 for positioning are formed at predetermined positions in the rear portion of the large case body 20 and in the small case body 40, of the motor 1. Positioning of the rotor 3 to the case assemblies can be carried out by fitting bosses which are provided at predetermined positions on an attachment portion of the rotor 3 but are not shown in figures, in the recess portions 5 for positioning.

[0046] Next, embodiments of the attachment structure for attaching the motor 1 to the battery B, according to the invention will be explained as follows.

[0047] The first embodiment of the attachment structure for attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the motor 1 is attached to the button type battery B so that the end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B faces to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 50. An end surface of the conductive member 50 to be connected with the negative electrode of the battery B is flat so as to increase the contact area with the negative electrode surface of the battery B. The other end surface of the conductive member 50 has a U-shaped or arch-shaped section to fit to the curvature of the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 so as to increase the contact area with the large case body 20. On the other hand, the positive electrode surface of the battery B is electrically connected to the positive terminal (the first conductive piece) 41 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 51 which has an L-shape as a whole and both end portions bent and folded.

[0048] The second embodiment of the attachment structure for attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG. 9. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment of FIG. 8 in that the negative electrode surface of the battery B is electrically connected to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 directly without the conductive member 50 which is used in the attachment structure shown in FIG. 8.

[0049] The third embodiment of the attachment structure for attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the motor 1 and the button type battery B are arranged so that the central axis of the button type battery B is approximately parallel to the rotary shaft 30 of the motor 1. The end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B is connected to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 52. An end of the conductive member 52 is bent and folded to connect to the end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B and the other end of the conductive member 52 has a U-shaped or arch-shaped surface to fit to the curvature of the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 so as to increase the contact area with the large case body 20. On the other hand, the positive electrode surface of the battery B is electrically connected to the positive terminal (the first conductive piece) 41 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 53 both end portions of which are bent and folded.

[0050] The fourth embodiment of the attachment structure for attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, the motor 1 and the button type battery B are attached so that the central axis of the button type battery B is approximately perpendicular to the rotary shaft 30 of the motor 1. The end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B is connected to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 54. An end of the conductive member 54 is bent and folded to connect to the end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B and the other end of the conductive member 54 has a U-shaped or arch-shaped surface to fit to the curvature of the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 so as to increase the contact area with the large case body 20. On the other hand, the positive electrode surface of the battery B is electrically connected to the positive terminal (the first conductive piece) 41 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 55 both end portions of which are bent and folded.

[0051] The fifth embodiment of the attachment structure for attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the motor 1 is attached to the button type battery B so that the end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B faces to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 56. The end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B is connected to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 56. An end of the conductive member 56 is bent and folded to connect to the end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B and the other end of the conductive member 56 has a U-shaped or arch-shaped surface to fit to the curvature of the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 so as to increase the contact area with the large case body 20. On the other hand, the positive electrode surface of the battery B is electrically connected to the positive terminal (the first conductive piece) 41 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 57 which has an L-shape as a whole. The reference numeral 58 denotes a motor clamp for clamping the motor.

[0052] The sixth embodiment of the attachment structure for attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG. 13. This embodiment is almost the same as the fifth embodiment of FIG. 12 except the point that the negative electrode surface of the battery B is electrically connected to the upper peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 directly. According to the attachment structure, because the motor 1 can be clamped by a conductive member 56, a specific motor clamp is not required.

[0053] According to the attachment structure of each of the above-described embodiments, because the button type battery B is electrically connected to the motor 1, through a conductive member or directly, it is possible to cut off the electrical connection by moving any one of the button type battery, motor, and the conductive member.

[0054] It should also be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments as above described and various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the gist thereof.

[0055] For example, although the large case body 20 makes a negative lead terminal in the above-described embodiments, the large case body 20 may make a positive lead terminal. Two electrically separated regions formed on the large case body 20 can be also adopted as positive and negative lead terminals. An exposed portion of an inner case which is provided in the large case body 20 can be also adopted as a lead terminal. Although the large case body 20 is used as a lead terminal in the above-described embodiments, it is possible to use the periphery of the small case body 40 as the terminal instead of the large case body 20.

[0056] The above-described motor can be incorporated in a small-sized vehicle model, a small-sized mascot doll, a key chain, a strap for cellular phone, a small-sized object such as an insect model and the like.

[0057] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. Tokugan hei-11-368199 filed on Dec. 24, 1999 including specification, claims, drawings and summary are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0058] According to the motor of the present invention, because in the motor with a plurality of electrode terminals, at least a peripheral portion of a case for the motor forms at least one of the plurality of electrode terminals, the motor is suitable for miniaturizing, and it is easy to electrically connect one end of each corresponding conductive lead to the corresponding electrode terminal and it is possible to enhance the rigidity of the electrode terminals. Further, it is easy to incorporate the motor into a toy and the like, and is also easy to remove it. Further, it is possible to cut off the electrical connection to the battery easily by moving any one of the button type battery, motor, and the conductive member. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A motor, comprising: a motor unit having first and second electrode terminals; and a cylindrical case for covering and securing the motor unit, including a large case body having a cylindrical conductive portion which is directly electrically connected to the second electrode terminal, and an insulating small case body directly provided with the first electrode terminal.
 2. The motor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor unit further comprises a commutator and contact springs, and the first and second electrode terminals of the motor are electrically connected to the commutator through the contact springs.
 3. The motor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the large case body and the insulating small case body comprise recess portions for connecting the large case body and the insulating small case body.
 4. A motor, comprising: a rotor having first and second electrical terminals; and a cylindrical case for covering and securing the rotor, including a cylindrical conductive portion electrically connected to the rotor and directly connected to the second electrical terminal of the rotor, and an end case electrically connected to the rotor and directly connected to the first electrical terminal of the rotor.
 5. A motor, comprising: a motor unit having first and second electrode terminals; and a cylindrical case for covering and securing the motor unit, including a large case body having a cylindrical conductive portion which is directly electrically connected to the second electrode terminal, and an insulating small case body directly provided with the first electrode terminal, wherein the motor unit further includes a rotary shaft, a commutator and a contact spring, and the first electrode terminal extends through the insulating small case body and includes a first end which is electrically connected to the commutator through the contact spring, and a second end which is exposed on an exterior of the insulating small case body, to be connected to an external battery directly or through at least one conductive member.
 6. The motor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second end of the first electrode terminal is turned to form a contact head.
 7. A motor, comprising: a rotor having first and second electrical terminals; and a cylindrical case for covering and securing the rotor, including a cylindrical conductive portion electrically connected to the rotor and directly connected to the second electrical terminal of the rotor, and an end case electrically connected to the rotor and directly connected to the first electrical terminal of the rotor, wherein the rotor further comprises a rotary shaft, a commutator and a contact spring, and the first electrical terminal extends through the end case and includes a first end which is electrically connected to the commutator trough the contact spring, and a second end which is exposed on an exterior of the end case to be connected to an external battery directly or through at least one conductive member.
 8. The motor as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second end of the first electrical terminal is turned to form a contact head.
 9. A motor, comprising: a motor unit having first and second electrode terminals; and a cylindrical case for covering and securing the motor unit, including a large case body having a cylindrical conductive portion which is directly electrically connected to the second electrode terminal, and an insulating small case body directly provided with the first electrode terminal, wherein one of the first electrode terminal of the motor and the cylindrical conductive portion of the large case body is electrically connected to a first electrode of the battery, and the other of the first electrode and the cylindrical conductive portion is conductively connected to a second electrode of the battery.
 10. The motor as claimed in claim 9, wherein the motor unit further comprises a commutator and contact springs, and the first and second electrode terminals of the motor are electrically connected to the commutator through the contact springs.
 11. A motor, comprising: a rotor having first and second electrical terminals; and a cylindrical case for covering and securing the rotor, including a cylindrical conductive portion electrically connected to the rotor and directly connected to the second electrical terminal of the rotor, and an end case electrically connected to the rotor and directly connected to the first electrical terminal of the rotor, wherein one of the first electrode terminal of the rotor and the cylindrical conductive portion of the large case body is electrically connected to a first electrode of the battery, and the other of the first electrode and the cylindrical conductive portion is conductively connected to a second electrode of the battery. 